Synthesis and characterization of chitosan-polyvinyl alcohol-bioactive glass hybrid membranes

The tissue engineering strategy is a new approach for the regeneration of cementum, which is essential for the regeneration of the periodontal tissue. This strategy involves the cell cultures present in this tissue, called cementoblasts, and located on an appropriate substrate for posterior implantation in the regeneration site. Prior studies from our research group have shown that the proliferation and viability of cementoblasts increase in the presence of the ionic dissolution products of bioactive glass particles. Therefore, one possible approach to obtaining adequate substrates for cementoblast cultures is the development of composite membranes containing bioactive glass. In the present study, composite films of chitosan-polyvinyl alcohol-bioactive glass containing different glass contents were developed. Glutaraldehyde was also added to allow for the formation of cross-links and changes in the degradation rate. The glass phase was introduced in the material by a sol-gel route, leading to an organic-inorganic hybrid. The films were characterized by Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with electron dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Bioactivity tests were also conducted by immersion of the films in simulated body fluid (SBF). Films containing up to 30% glass phase could be obtained. The formation of calcium phosphate was observed after the immersion of the films. A calcium phosphate layer formed more quickly on materials containing higher bioactive glass contents. In the hybrid containing 23% bioactive glass, a complete layer was formed after 24 h immersion, showing the high bioactivity of this material. However, despite the higher in vitro bioactivity, the film with 23% glass showed lower mechanical properties compared with films containing up to 17% glass.